(NOTE: Apologies, folks, as this one apparently slipped right past me in the news.)
Those of us who've been around a few years (and then some) will always remember the lovely Yvette Mimieux as one of the 'First Ladies' of Science Fiction thanks to her work in George Pal's adaptation of H.G. Wells' The Time Machine (1960) for Metro-Goldwyn_Mayer. Though the appearance wasn't her debut, it was definitely near the dawn of her professional career as 1960 saw her given the Golden Globe for 'Most Promising Newcomer - Female.' Alas, this wasn't for her acting in the Science Fiction classic but for a little conventional drama called Platinum High School. Though I've never seen this one, I suspect it might be a largely forgettable affair ... well, 'forgettable' except for being this lady's big screen debut.
I've read, however, that it was The Time Machine that truly launched her career as the picture went on to be one of the studio's better performing films for 1960. In the guise of 'Weena,' audiences fell in love with her, and she no doubt used that goodwill to build a career across a variety of genres.
As genre properties go, she leaves behind a resume with some interesting diversions. In 1960, she also managed to squeeze in a visit to TV's One Step Beyond ("The Clown"). In 1962, she played royalty aboard The Wonderful World Of The Brothers Grimm also for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Work in a host of more conventional fare followed, but in 1973 she dipped back onto Fantasy's radar with a role aboard Twentieth Century Fox's The Neptune Factor. 1977 saw her in a made for television Horror/Thriller, Snowbeast, which had the lady and her costars on the lookout for an Abominable Snowman-style creature.
Still, it wasn't until 1979 when Walt Disney gave her the chance to truly explore the Final Frontier aboard director Gary Nelson's The Black Hole. Her 'Dr. Kate McCrae' was part of a crew who stumble across the USS Cygnus believed to have been lost years earlier. McCrae's father served aboard the ship, so the search to find some answers gave her a personal interest, not just professional; and the actress earned a whole new generation of fans that will always remember her in one of the signature Science Fiction films of its era.
Acting wasn't her only calling. I've read that she was an anthropologist, a businesswoman, and a very successful real estate professional. Let that be a lesson for all of us when it comes to having second careers.
Prayers to all family, friends, and all who knew her well.
-- EZ
Those of us who've been around a few years (and then some) will always remember the lovely Yvette Mimieux as one of the 'First Ladies' of Science Fiction thanks to her work in George Pal's adaptation of H.G. Wells' The Time Machine (1960) for Metro-Goldwyn_Mayer. Though the appearance wasn't her debut, it was definitely near the dawn of her professional career as 1960 saw her given the Golden Globe for 'Most Promising Newcomer - Female.' Alas, this wasn't for her acting in the Science Fiction classic but for a little conventional drama called Platinum High School. Though I've never seen this one, I suspect it might be a largely forgettable affair ... well, 'forgettable' except for being this lady's big screen debut.
I've read, however, that it was The Time Machine that truly launched her career as the picture went on to be one of the studio's better performing films for 1960. In the guise of 'Weena,' audiences fell in love with her, and she no doubt used that goodwill to build a career across a variety of genres.
As genre properties go, she leaves behind a resume with some interesting diversions. In 1960, she also managed to squeeze in a visit to TV's One Step Beyond ("The Clown"). In 1962, she played royalty aboard The Wonderful World Of The Brothers Grimm also for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Work in a host of more conventional fare followed, but in 1973 she dipped back onto Fantasy's radar with a role aboard Twentieth Century Fox's The Neptune Factor. 1977 saw her in a made for television Horror/Thriller, Snowbeast, which had the lady and her costars on the lookout for an Abominable Snowman-style creature.
Still, it wasn't until 1979 when Walt Disney gave her the chance to truly explore the Final Frontier aboard director Gary Nelson's The Black Hole. Her 'Dr. Kate McCrae' was part of a crew who stumble across the USS Cygnus believed to have been lost years earlier. McCrae's father served aboard the ship, so the search to find some answers gave her a personal interest, not just professional; and the actress earned a whole new generation of fans that will always remember her in one of the signature Science Fiction films of its era.
Acting wasn't her only calling. I've read that she was an anthropologist, a businesswoman, and a very successful real estate professional. Let that be a lesson for all of us when it comes to having second careers.
Prayers to all family, friends, and all who knew her well.
-- EZ
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